Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor 585 Fifth St. Laila Drescher, Editor Volume 38 Number 10

Transcription

1 CONCORDIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Concordia Chimes Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor 585 Fifth St. Laila Drescher, Editor Prairie du Sac, WI Paul Webster, Missionary Volume 38 Number 10 November 2017 What s inside? From the Pastor Page 2 Helping Hands Page 2 Concordia Cares Page 2 Birthdays Page 3 CYF Page 3 Giving Page 3 Caring Tree Page 4 Advent Study Page 4 Note of Thanks Page 4 Donations Page 5 Budget News Page 5 Red Bird Mission Page 6 United Methodist Women Page 7 Who s Doing What, When Page 8 Readings Page 8 Letter from the Bishop Page 9 Winter Clothing Collection Page 10 Nursery Leader Page 10 Alzheimer Dementia Group Page 10 Brainstorm Page 10 Calendar Page 11 Our Mission Statement As a witness to Christ in our community, we are committed to spiritual growth and service. PASTOR S OFFICE HOURS 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor I have set office hours so that you will know when you can be relatively sure I will be in the office if you want to stop in. That being said, there are times that I need to be gone for meetings, nursing home worship, scheduled pastoral visits or emergencies during those hours, but those times are infrequent. I am also often in the office until 5:00 pm or later, so you can stop in any time you see a blue Buick LeSabre parked in front of the church or in the Office Hours Monday: 8:00am-1:00pm Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 8:00am-1:00pm Thursday: 8:00am-1:30pm Friday: 9:00am-11:30am Saturday and Sunday: Closed Hours may vary Changes will be communicated through the weekly Chimes Vision Statement of the Wisconsin Annual Conference: Resident Bishop: Hee-Soo Jung Asst. to the Bishop: Dan Dick Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor pastor@concordiaumc.org church cell parsonage Laila Drescher, Administrative Assistant secr@concordiaumc.org office

2 2 The gymnasium at Grand Avenue was filled with people of all ages. There were shouts asking for more rice or boxes or vitamins. There was a competitive energy as tables of workers tried to outdo each other in the number of bags of meals were fit into boxes. People were happy to be working together, with the knowledge that they were helping to feed children they will never meet. We were reminded that $80 would feed a child for a year. Many of us spend more than that dining out in a month. We have such an abundance! Jesus never missed an opportunity to encourage his followers to take hold of the life offered them by God. He special concern was with those who had lost heart or lost their way. Whether it was a lost sheep being located, a lost coin being found or a lost child returning home, every instance involved seeking and celebrating. When the lost is found, there is both reunion and rejoicing. We have such an abundance! We have received more than enough compassion and mercy, Grace and joy, kindness and forgiveness are poured out on us. Our belief in Jesus encourages our Concordia faith family to be a community of grace and mercy, looking out for one another, and fulfilling our lives purpose of serving God by serving others. We are freed to take hold of the life offered by Christ when we let go of all that burdens us. We take our lesson from the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. We are invited to take hold of the life that really is life as we seek to fulfill our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Through our support of the mission and ministries of this church family we are helping transform lives. Our generosity truly makes a difference in the world. On November 5 th, we will come together to praise God for our blessings we ve been given that we may be a blessing. We will make our commitments to support the ministries in this community through this church. We will also remember those who have been important in nurturing our faith and who have been received into the eternal life that really is life. We will remember and celebrate their gifts which continue to support the mission to which we are called. We will also celebrate the saints who have become a part of our church family during this year. We will celebrate the gifts of God as we share holy communion with one another. Blessings, One of the ways the Nurture Committee wants to care for our church family is to provide an outlet to share when one of us has a need, or when one of us has a need to help. It gives our church family an option to help out. Here are some ideas for when it might be nice to have help: a painting project ( It s always more fun to do with others!) technical assistance with a project going to a movie or out to dinner The Helping Hands sign is on the kiosk in the Galena entrance. Write down your need and stick it on the board. Life is more enjoyable and has more meaning as we share our struggles and our joys! Sue Evans, Nurture Team CONCORDIA CARES! Please volunteer your time and show compassion to Concordia church families during times of joy (birth of a baby) and hardship (death in the family, ill family member etc.). If you know of a family or a situation that would benefit from some TLC in the form of meals or transportation, please contact Pastor Doris ( ) or leave a message at the church ( ). We have a group of volunteers who are willing to offer assistance in those kinds of situations.

3 November Birthdays 1st Jan Bender 1st Jackie Counts 3rd Mert VonWald 3rd Lisa Wenzel 5th Heidi Halling 6th Roger DeVoe 7th Mary Zins 8th Kelli Endres 8th Taylor Koenig 10th Tim Ladd 11th Doris Simpson 12th Tom Clark 12th Robin Henn 13th Jamie Nehring 13th Cassie McNulty 14th Clara Bolton 14th Isaiah Enge 19th Linda Ward 21st Sandy Enge 28th Otis Andres 29th Pam Dickson 29th Pat Mings 29th Sue Ballweg 30th Cindy Lou Paske 30th Tiffany Atwell 30th Carly Schroeder Concordia Youth Foundation (CYF) Building a Bridge of Faith October was a busy month for CYF! We discussed and demonstrated ways to be stewards for our church and in our everyday lives. We continue to work at the food pantry monthly and volunteered with the Feed My Starving Children Food Pack. We also reached out to our church family for fall clean up help and with the Live Free Family Meal. We are learning how important it is to give our time and talents to others. In November, we will once again be selling Mudlove bracelets. Our focus is on spreading positive messages to those around us. This is an amazing fundraiser because every sale provides one day of free water to people in need. Wow! We meet on Wednesday nights are always welcoming new members. Join us if you d like and prepare to have fun! 3 Giving: Not One Member, But Many For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14) A division of labor marks our occupations and social institutions in modern society: people perform highly specialized, but reciprocal and interdependent activities. This results both in greater benefits for the whole and greater dependence of individuals on one another. Paul the Apostle recognized both this benefit and this interdependence among the followers of Christ. He likened us Christians to body parts. We form a whole Paul calls the Body of Christ, and we are interdependent, The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you. Stewardship is like that. Our gifts work together for the good. Paul the Apostle recognized both this benefit and this interdependence among the followers of Christ. He likened us Christians to body parts. We form a whole Paul calls the Body of Christ, and we are interdependent, The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you. Stewardship is like that. Our gifts work together for the good. Arthur Tappan Pierson summarized the lesson of 1 Corinthians 12: Every believer has some gift, therefore all should be encouraged. No one has all the gifts, therefore all should be humble. All gifts are for the Body, therefore all should be harmonious. All gifts are for the Lord, therefore all should be contented. All gifts are mutually helpful, therefore all should be faithful. Stewardship strives to maximize the impact of our collective gifts. Jim Wells, Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation

4 4 Our Caring Tree will be by the Fellowship Hall from November 7th to December 4th. If you are interested in helping, please take a tag and return the unwrapped gift to church by December 4th. Thank you! If you have questions, contact Lynette Theis at Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph What message does Joseph offer God s people today? Adam Hamilton takes us on an Advent journey through the eyes of Joseph. Spend time in reflection and contemplation as God s divine plan changes a carpenter s world forever. The Advent Study will be on Sunday Evenings at 6:30-8:00pm at church. Contact the office by November 12th if you would like to be part of the study so books can be ordered. Thank you! Concordia United Methodist Church, Ye are the Light of the World Thank you for the beautiful devotional booklet done by you! Doris Litscher Gasser Dear Members of Concordia UMC, Thank you for your recent donation to Hope House. Your contribution of $ will ensure that services and support are available to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, your support of victims of abuse is especially timely. With your help and support of our communities, we will be able to help survivors hope for the best. Thank you again for your generosity! Anna Lange Hope House Warmest Wishes to all of Concordia United Methodist Church Members. From Eileen Gattshall Dear Friends in Mission, Thank you for your gift received to help with hurricane relief. To UMCOR. Grace and Peace, Roland Fernandes-General Board of Global Ministries Thank you to Keller s Farm for donating pumpkins for the Youth Group to carve together. Thank you to Jim Kirner and Katie Kirner for delivering them to the church! Concordia Youth Fellowship

5 BUDGET NEWS Budget Receipts for September 2017 $15, NON-BUDGET RECEIPTS FOR MAY 2017 Hope House Webster Covenant Relationship Stueber Good Samaritan Fund BUDGET SUMMARY YEAR TO DATE $ $ $ Beginning Balance 1/1/17 $34, Receipts $142, Disbursements $155, General Checking Account Balance 7/31/17 $21, Capital Improvement Fund 7/31/17 $136, Third Quarter Financial Statements Third quarter statements can be picked up in the back of the church. Those that requested statements, should have received them. If you have any questions or you did not receive your statement, please contact the church office. Thank you! Electronic Giving... Your annual pledge helps us forecast, with confidence, the level of financial support our congregation will receive in the year ahead. It is through the pledges and contributions of our members that we are able to live our mission here at Concordia UMC. As you consider your pledge, we remind you that we offer Electronic Giving as a way to automate your offerings. It is convenient for you and provides much-needed consistency for the church. Collection basket offerings can fluctuate significantly from week to week but when contributions are automated, the church receives funds on a steady, uninterrupted basis. Authorization forms are available in the church office. SECOND SUNDAY DONATIONS Second Sunday donations (food, cash, hygiene, household items) for November will go to Hope House. 5 Bulletin Sponsors Please consider sponsoring a bulletin at $10.00 per week to support the cost to print our weekly bulletins. Do you have a generator we could use? We would like to shine our bright blue cross in this year s light Parade on November 17th but need a generator to help us out! If you have one we could borrow, please contact the church office by Thursday, Nov. 4th! FOURTH SUNDAY DONATIONS Donations for Zelpha s Pantry will be accepted the fourth Sunday of the month. The Personal hygiene items are offered to guests at the Community Meal on the last Sunday of the month.

6 6 Melodies of Compassion Redbird Mission Our Melodies of Compassion for November and December supports the Redbird Mission (Please note: only loose coins are deposited to Melodies of Compassion. Paper money is deposited into the General Offering Fund unless designated.) Reverend Ann Scott, the chaplain of Madison Hospitals Chaplaincy spoke to us about her pastoral ministry to United Methodists when their pastors are not able to call on them. Redbird Mission Consignment Sale On November 5th and 12th, the Outreach Committee will again be hosting a craft sale. The items sold are made by communities within 60 miles of our longtime friends at the Redbird Mission in Kentucky. The sale is an opportunity to call your attention to the talents and dedication the Redbird community has to helping themselves out of poverty. Last year the notecards, pewter jewelry, weavings and wooden games were very popular. This year we have requested Christmas ornaments too. Be sure to stop by before and after service on November 5th and 12th in Fellowship Hall just to see what else comes our way. You might even find a Christmas gift or two! Labels For Education Red Bird Mission Red Bird Mission, located in Beverly, KY will soon receive its 29th and final van from Campbell s Labels for Education Program. We have contributed many labels to Red Bird Mission over the years, so we have helped them acquire these vans. Campbell s has recently changed its Labels for Education Program, but Red Bird will continue to collect these labels until December 1, (They will put these labels towards other equipment offered from Campbell s for their Red Bird Christian School. So, please look through your drawers to see if you have any labels to donate and bring them to Church soon! Box Tops for Education are still being collected for Red Bird. The Box Tops are located on many food items, including cake and cookie mixes, snacks, bags of flour and on a lot of paper products. These Box Tops do have an expiration date, so turn them in often. A shoe box is located on the small table inside the double doors of Fellowship Hall for you to place your labels and Box Tops. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Sandridge. Thank You!

7 Mark Your Calendar 7 HOLIDAY BAZAAR November 4, :00am-2:00pm Concordia United Methodist Church Prairie du Sac FEATURING: Baked Goods for the Bazaar If you are donating baked items for the Bazaar, please drop them off at church by 10:00am on Friday, November 3rd. Thank you! Beautifully handcrafted gift items-delicious bakery items including lefsa and fruitcakes- gift baskets Enjoy coffee, homemade cinnamon rolls, soup and apple pie at Our Coffee Time Café UMW Christmas Gathering You are invited UMW Christmas Gathering Join us on Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. UMW members are asked to provide a dozen Christmas cookies. Cookie plates will be made up and distributed to shut-ins from our church. The Concordia Handbell Choir will be providing entertainment for the evening program. This event is open to all members and friends of Concordia UMC. Hope you can join us for a relaxing and festive evening! UMW NEWS Bazaar Set-up dates We will be setting up for the Bazaar in Fellowship Hall at 9:00am on Monday-Friday, October 30-November 3 The UMW Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 7th at 10:00am at the church. UMW Circle Meeting will be on Monday, November 13th at 1:00pm (please note the time change for this meeting.) Hostess is: Marty Virchow residence Meadowlark Lane in Prairie du Sac. Program is hosted by: Jane Cordero. The annual Thank Offering will be collected at this meeting.

8 8 November 5th: Ushers: Roger and Jane Cole Mert VonWald, Charlene Tetiva Greeter: Emily and Gordon Carncross Acolyte: Matthew and Alyssa Wenzel Liturgist: Kevin Emshoff Tech Desk: Doug Hultberg Lawn Care: Nursery: Tyffany Atwell Communion: Beth McNulty, Irene DeVoe November 12th: Ushers: Ted and Robin Henn Paul and Karen Ladd Greeters: Carol and Stacy Paul Acolytes: Griffin and Gillie Fritsch Liturgist: Suzanne Paskey Tech Desk: Pat Mings Lawn Care: Nursery: Greg and Anni Mauch Community Meal: Team Virchow November 19th: Ushers: Youth Greeters: Youth Acolyte: Anna Drescher and Maddy Mauch Liturgist: Youth Tech Desk: Bruce Koch Lawn Care: Nursery: Scott and Lisa Alyea November 26th: Ushers: Bruce and Leslie Koch Darlene Coyle and Cathy Bochar Greeters: Betty Granger Acolytes: Evie Fritsch Liturgist: Heidi Halling Tech Desk: Irene DeVoe Lawn Care: Nursery: Sue Evans Community Meal: Team Roelke NOVEMBER READINGS: 5th: Romans 8:18-28 Philippians 4:4-9 12th: Joshua 24:1-3, Psalm 78:1-7 19th: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Luke 17: th: Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 Handbell Choir practices are on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. For more information or questions, please call Save the Date!! December 17, 2017 Sunday School Children s Program 10:30am Choir Rehearsals are on Thursdays At 6:30pm New members are welcome and needed! We usually sing on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month September through May. We'd love to see you there!

9 9 Even when I cry out, Violence! I am not answered; I call aloud, but there is no justice. (Job 19:7) Again, our country is shocked into silence by wanton, senseless violence. The shootings in Las Vegas are simply the most recent in a long line of massacres and bloodbaths committed by sick and deeply disturbed individuals. Horror mixes with heartbreak. What in the world is happening? We cannot fully fathom the depths of despair that result in such hopeless acts of domestic terrorism. Each and every time we ask, How could such a thing happen? Our inability to understand such levels of brokenness say much about our ability to repress, deflect and deny. Throughout our Hebrew and Christian scriptures; prophets, poets, scribes, priests, and apostles addressed the same questions and concerns about violence and inhumane acts. It is in the fallen and selfish nature of human beings to lash out violently in the face of hopelessness and despair. When there is no hope, no faith, human beings take matters into their own hands. Violence is the lowest form of response to a world gone wrong. As one person hurts, so they wish to inflict hurt on others. In Genesis 6:11, the author writes, Now the earth was corrupt in God s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. Perhaps we should reflect on whether these words might apply today? Our American culture glorifies and adores violence. Television shows, such as Supernatural and The Blacklist, depict weekly images of torture and viciousness. Movies, such as the new remake of Death Wish, make heroes of violent vigilantes. Guns are objects of worship; water and fire are made into weapons. We take it all in stride, never batting an eye. An epic tragedy the scope of the Las Vegas shootings quickly becomes a subject for debate by gun enthusiasts who claim that anything can be turned into a weapon by someone bent on harming another. One National Rifle Association spokesperson made the claim that a rifle is no more dangerous than a hammer or a kitchen knife, completely ignoring the damage a hammer might do from over 400 yards away. It is an insult to intelligent people everywhere to compare an automatic weapon that kills and injures hundreds in a matter of seconds from a distance greater than four football fields to a hammer or a kitchen knife, but this simply distracts from the horrible tragedy of victims and gunman. Guns are not the main issue; violence is-and more importantly, the hopelessness and despair that lead to violence. Unaddressed unhappiness that leads to unresolved despondency and depression, resulting in hopelessness and eventual violence, is a growing problem in our complex world. And what is the church s response? How are we championing the love of God and the healing grace through Jesus Christ? In what ways do our random acts of kindness mitigate and mend the random acts of violence? We will never eradicate violence, hate, hostility, aggression, and anger in this world, in this lifetime. Our Bible is stunning evidence of this fact. But we must become a faithful witness to the reality that love conquers hate; peace trumps violence; grace is greater than insult and injury; and that there is hope in this world that cannot wait for the world to come. Brother san sisters, be peacemakers; stand with the poor; comfort the victims; pray for the world. And cry out! Cry out until justice and peace prevail. Grace and Peace, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

10 Nursery Leader Wanted! The Nurture Committee has been working on updating policies and procedures for the Nursery offered during Worship on Sunday mornings. We are looking for someone willing to share their gifts to this ministry by leading the changes we would like to see in the Nursery. Some of the responsibilities will include making sure the toys are clean and rotated for kids to play with, putting new books for kids to read, checking the craft supplies to make sure there are plenty available and being the contact for volunteers assigned to be there each week. The nursery leader would also work on structuring the time in the nursery for our volunteers with the use of children s bulletins and other strategies they may have and teaching the volunteers about the policies and structure of the nursery. Thank you for considering sharing your organizational talents and time to expand this important offering at Concordia. Alzheimer Dementia Support Group Whether you simply want a reference point to know what to expect when cognitive changes knock on your loved one s door or find comfort from others who are walking in your same shoes, the Alzheimer Dementia Support group welcomes you. Free meetings are hosted at Maplewood, every 4th Tuesday, 3:00-4:30. RSVP s are not necessary. If you have questions, contact Theresa Grimes at Coats and Winter Item Collection The Outreach Committee is collecting coats and other winter items for children and adults. They will be distributed throughout the Sauk Prairie School District. Items must be clean and in good condition and can be placed in a box near the kitchen. The collection will end November 12. Thank you!!

11 November 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:00am Bazaar Set-up 9:30am SOFAS 5:45pm CYF and Confirmation 6:00pm Handbell Choir Practice 2 9:00am Bazaar Set-up 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal 3 9:00am Bazaar Set-up 7:00am UM Men 4 8:00am UMW Holiday Bazaar 5 9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Fellowship 10:30am Worship- Holy Communion Live Free All Saints Memorial :00am UMW Board Meeting 6:30pm Witness Meeting 8 5:30pm CYF at the Food Pantry 6:00pm Handbell Choir Practice 9 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal 10 7:00am UM Men :00am Sunday School 10:00am Fellowship 10:30am Worship 4:00pm Community Meal 13 1:30pm UMW Circle Meeting 5:45pm Brainstorm River Arts Center 14 7:00pm Church Council Meeting 15 5:45pm CYF and Confirmation 6:00pm Movie Night- The Shack 6:00pm Handbell Choir Practice 16 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal 17 7:00am UM Men :00am Sunday School 10:00am Fellowship 10:30am Worship- Youth Sunday :00pm Book Club 7:15pm SPRC Meeting 22 6:00pm Ecumenical Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm Thanksgiving Worship Service St. John s Lutheran Church 23 Happy Thanksgiving 24 7:00am UM Men :00am Sunday School 10:00am Fellowship 10:30am Worship 4:00pm Community Meal 6:30pm Advent Study :30am WCC at Leystra s 29 5:45pm CYF and Confirmation 6:00pm Handbell Choir 30 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal